Bollywood Grill

its been nice to be there in bollywood bowling.i went with my wife.it was really nice.especially the chaat counter which presents the real picture of my my back country.the guy imran of chaat counter was really good chef ...the pani puri he makes he looks like a unique difference.i never had such pani puri and allo tiki chaat.i will come again and again.he served in good manner polite.
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salman khan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

As a rule a restaurant outside of central London should have a name vaguely associated with the kind of food it serves, be easy to find and have a decent size car park or failing that one nearby. The subject of this week’s review is “Bollywood Grill” in Ilford, in East London and on the face of it meet’s none of those criteria.

The name “Bollywood Grill” for example, sure you can gather its an Indian (Bollywood is India’s version of Hollywood.) But is it easy to find? “No” comes my reply-- its on the 2nd floor of the “Bollywood Bowling” complex. Sure if you’re walking there its not a problem, but when you’re driving around in your car, the restaurant’s sign’s well out of your view, as a result if you don’t know the area you’re not going to find it without stopping for directions.

The second problem is the road it’s located on, the location itself is pretty good, there’s a cinema next door and the road is very wide, but there is absolutely no parking whatsoever. So by now you’re late for your booking, for a place you can’t find and now you can’t find anywhere to park. Happily there is a car park behind the complex. But you can’t just turn into that road and park.

Like most of East London these days it’s a maze of one-way systems and no-entry roads. You have to do an amazing detour which takes you right the way around Ilford town centre, if you don’t know you’re way around, it will take you an age to find it.

After all that you’re probably at your wits end and in such a foul mood you probably feel like turning back home and writing off the whole night. But don’t. The complex may be in the middle of a parade of shops but inside it’s bigger than you’d imagine. It’s like the TARDIS in there. I entered the restaurant, where the marketing bumf stated they could seat nearly 100 people and after having looked around I’m forced to agree.

As you enter the restaurant you’ll realise its beautifully decorated with shades of an ancient Arabian theme, tastefully done. Its not your traditional Indian with your shag-pile carpets and sombre booths--its better. The whole place feels light and airy. On your left as you reach the reception, there is a picture display of people who have spent time here. But it’s not Joan from number 37, there are some right heavyweights and even I, a person not at all versed in all things Bollywood can recognise them without a second glance. How does Raghav grab you? No? Chris Eubank? Try Sharukh Khan and if its good enough for him to happily have taken his picture here, its certainly good enough for a regular Joe like me.

Take the seats and the dining arrangements—the seats are probably the best I’ve perched my backside on and the positioning of the tables, cutlery and the quality of the fabrics on the table are exquisite. The staff are well dressed and well versed, a good thing considering the menu is the most varied and vast I’ve seen in all my dining experience. Myself and my partner had a 3 course meal starting off with parni puri- a very refreshing and tangy starters. But the real delight is the main course. Without a doubt the food is the best I have ever tasted. It’s a joy to savour every mouthful.

Forget your preconceptions of an oily student curry this is top-notch stuff. The word I’m tempted to say is ‘perfect.’ The chicken jalfrezi, paneer tika and bollywood (Bombay) potatoes were so fresh and creamy they melted on your mouth like a dream. The various naans ordered—peshwari (naan bread stuffed with coconut) and tandoori were delicious, as were the sauces which complimented the food perfectly, the salad—which in my view is outstanding because you can order it without onions! Something none of the restaurant’s rivals can say.

As a rule if I go to a restaurant and I am expected to fork out over three times what it would cost me to go to the supermarket to get the raw ingredients myself and cook it at home. I judge the meal a success and think the prices charged as justified when I think to myself-- “Never in a million years could I make a meal as wonderful as that.” That’s the case here, over and over as I swallowed every delicious morsel I kept thinking that to myself.

At £35 including service charge and drinks for myself and my partner was fully justifiable in my view of the service (which was excellent) and the quality of the food (to die for in my view). Whilst that is higher than what I usually pay for a meal for two at a restaurant it’s broadly in line with what I paid at rival Indian restaurants--Passage to India and at Pakwaan’s. But you know what, in terms of food at least, Bollywood is leagues (I’m tempted to say light-years) ahead of these two or any other Indian I’ve ever been to.

One minor gripe I have is with the entertainment. Don’t misunderstand me the atmosphere is genuinely warm and enthusiastic as well as lively. Perfect mood you’re thinking. On Friday & Saturday nights they have a singer in (a la Parkview restaurant in North London) who has a great voice. But when music is played to accompany my meal, which I do want, I want it to be a soothing companion. In Bollywood I was blasted, you don’t so much as hear the music you feel it pulsating through your bones. Its too loud, more fitting for a nightclub than a romantic meal on a Friday night with the wife and kids.

I could understand the music being this loud if it were a dinner and dance, like Pakwaan or Parkview is, but its not. In terms of atmosphere then it loses it by a shade to Ilford rival Passage to India--which is the most similar to it in tone and style, but Bollywood only loses marginally.

All things considered however it’s one of the best restaurants I’ve been to and you know what it’s the BEST Indian you can go to today by a long, long way.

Verdict: Pretty Much Perfect

Rating: 5/5
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Shaz - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, May 13, 2007

We went to Bollywood Grill last week and since then i've already visited 3 times..food was delicious and so was the atmosphere..I'm taking my partner there for Valentines Day.
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Rhea
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

i came with my family to bollywood grill to celebrate my fathers and aunties birthday. the food was amazing as well as the atmosphere. The entertainment was so good that we stayed an hour after eating just to enjoy the entertainement!It really is a fab restuarent and great for all members of the family!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 28, 2006

Bollwood Bowling is the best place for all. It is really nice and the staff are proper nice and kind. The food is too tasty.(I'm feeling hungry now) I love the entertainment there and atmosphere is really nice and it's a place where you can enjoy and you wouldn't mind staying there all night and eating the delicious food!!. I recommend this restaurent for everyone.!!
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Aneeka Ayub
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 22, 2006

i think that the restaurant is a lovely place.The food is exceptionaly delicious and value for money. The atomosphere and the frindly staff just make it a place that you'll visit again and again
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Visudha Karia
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

My family and I attended this restaurant for my wife’s and I Wedding Anniversary, when they have their Dinner & Dance function every Fridays. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the food was excellent. Not only did my wife and I have a good time, the kids went downstairs for a game of bowling while me and the wife had a dance, so it’s a place where there’s something for everyone.

The décor is very sophistically done which sets a calm yet live atmosphere.

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
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Mr Anup Patel
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 13, 2005